Our Mission

"Transforming saints into disciples, to make disciples, thus fulfilling the commission of Jesus Christ"
~ Matthew 3:18

Sunday
9:30 am Sunday School
10:45 am Worship Service
   
Wednesday
6:30 pm Prayer & Praise
7:00 pm Bible Study

Church History

The First Antioch Baptist Church was organized on November 28, 1915, in Reamer Hall, located on East Otterman Street and Maple Avenue, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Westmoreland County.


Rev. H. H. Overton, of the Morningstar Baptist Church, of Scottdale, Pennsylvania, delivered the introductory sermon. The subject was “The Church of the Living God”, taken from Revelations 12:1. The church was organized and represented by ten churches of the Allegheny and Eastern Ohio Association of Baptist Churches, all with the same faith and members of the council.


Rev. Frank Marshall presided as moderator and accompanying him was Deacon Johnson from Jeannette, Pennsylvania. Deacon Griggs was Acting Secretary. At this time, Rev. J.E. Smith was elected as Pastor by a standing vote of seven (God’s blessed number). There were two deacons elected, Brother Abraham White and Brother Warwick Anderson.


Worship services were held in the Golden Eagle Hall until December 15, 1917, when services were transferred to the Old Armory Hall, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. In July of 1918, a committee was appointed to seek a site on which a church could be erected. The committee found a lot which contained a small one-room building that was later purchased and used by the members to hold worship services. This site was occupied on August 18, 1918. Sister E.C. Nind was made Treasurer on October 18, 1918, and served in this office until her death.


On the fifth Sunday of October 1921, the cornerstone of the current location at 726 W. Pittsburgh Street was laid and the charter was presented to the church. Rev. J. E. Smith, founder of the church, served as the church architect. Brother Brantley, who had knowledge of bricklaying, was assisted by others to complete the building. In 1923, the church seal was purchased and many souls were united with the church.


Several organizations were formed and the church progressed spiritually and materially. Sister Emma White organized a young women’s organization called the U and I Club in 1923. A Youth Choir was organized under the direction of Sister Virginia Tate. Sister E.C. Nind served as President of the Willing Workers Club and they purchased the church pews. The original pews are still being used today.


In February 1927, Rev. Smith resigned as pastor after serving twelve years. Leadership has continued under the following pastors:


On May 2, 1966, Deacon Henry Allen, affectionately called “Hen” Chairman of the Deacons Board called a special meeting and by a majority vote, called Rev. William G. Roberts as pastor. This was Rev. Roberts’s first pastoralship. Rev. Roberts served from 1966 to 1977. Under his guidance, the music department increased. Rev. Roberts was a great pianist. An organ was purchased as well as new robes for the Youth and Senior Choirs. The choirs gave many concerts. A parsonage was purchased and later sold, the dining room tables were purchased, and offering envelopes were instituted. The Pulpit Exchange, Christmas and New Years Eve Services and Maundy Thursday services began. Other services promoted under Pastor Roberts were church outings, Men & Women’s Day, Matrimonial Sunday, Children’s Message, and flower presentations on Mother’s and Father’s Day.


After Rev. Roberts resigned, First Antioch was without a pastor for ten months, at which time, the church called Rev. Marshall F. Prentice. First Antioch was also the first church pastored by Rev. Prentice. The church grew under his watch and the money from the sale of the parsonage was used to completely renovate the inside of the church. Many renovations had been made to the church, including the building of a balcony to accomodate the growth of the church. Rev. Prentice was very active in the Westmoreland Ministerial Alliance. The Ministerial Alliance was actively involved in the community, i.e. the New Years Eve Watch Night Service, Good Friday (Seven Echoes of the Cross), Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Program and other community affairs.


After Rev. Prentice resigned, the church called Rev. Mark A. Penn as pastor. The church continued to grow under Rev. Penn’s leadership. Rev. Penn was actively involved in the Prison Ministry and was recognized for his dedication in bringing the word to the men that were incarcerated. Rev. Penn also became involved and very active in the Westmoreland Ministerial Alliance.


From May 1994 through June 1995 the church was absent a pastor and called Rev. Peter Ward who served from 1995-1996, at which time the church called Rev. David Williamson, who served until August 2000. After Rev. Williamson left, the church called Rev. Paul S. Harris on October 30, 2001. Rev. Harris left in 2003.


Rev. Nathaniel McCoy was sent by God and was unanimously accepted by members of First Antioch on January 8, 2005. Immediately following his interview, Rev. McCoy was installed on March 6, 2005, by his father-in-the ministry, Rev. Dr. J. Van Alfred Winsett, Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church of Pittsburgh, PA.


Rev. McCoy preached God’s word at the church’s 89th Anniversary; the message was “A Man Who was Looking for a Handout” taken from John 5: 1-7. First Antioch Baptist Church is continuing to grow spiritually, as well as in numbers, under Pastor McCoy's leadership.


First Antioch celebrated their 96th church anniversary November 27, 2011.



(church history provided by Sister Connie Guest-Craig, church historian)